Early acts of 50 famous musicians

The genre of "skiffle"—a type of rootsy folk music—does not get much attention, but it's how one of the biggest bands of all time started.

John Lennon founded a skiffle group called the Quarrymen in high school, with which Paul McCartney and George Harrison signed a contract. Eventually, the trio adopted the name "Beatles" as a tribute to Buddy Holly and the Crickets. The name evolved into the Silver Beetles and then finally just the Beatles. While enjoying a residency in Hamburg, bandmates recruited Pete Best as their drummer, although Ringo Starr eventually replaced him.

Of course, the Beatles, as we know them, remain timeless icons. In February 2025, 55 years after their breakup, they won a Grammy Award for their unreleased song "Now and Then." In November 2025, the surviving band members released remastered editions of their "Anthology" series, along with a fourth volume featuring outtakes and other previously unheard tracks. And as of September 2026, filming is underway for the four-movie Beatles biopic, due out April 2028.

Born Andre Young, Dr. Dre made his mark on hip-hop long before he became a solo artist. Like Ice Cube and the late Eazy-E, his big breakthrough was as one of the founding members of L.A.-based rap group N.W.A. But that wasn't Dre's first time in the spotlight. In the early '80s, Dre was a member of World Class Wreckin' Crew, a hip-hop and R&B group known for its slick dance moves and glammed-out costumes. It's an image that doesn't mesh well with his tough-guy persona, and one that subjected him to homophobic disses by his rivals.

Dr. Dre wasn't the only West Coast rap icon with a background contradicting his image. Tragically murdered at age 25, Tupac Shakur will forever be known as one of the world's greatest MCs, with provocative lyrics that painted a portrait of inner-city life. But his beginnings were not what one would expect: He graduated from a performing arts high school and was active in drama, dance, and even ballet. He first made his foray into rap as a member of Oakland-based Digital Underground before releasing his debut album, "2Pacalypse Now."

Even decades after the singer's death, Tupac's music and life resonate with audiences. In December 2024, his song "How Do U Want It" reached #14 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart. And a new "definitive" biography of the legendary performer, "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur," was released on Oct. 21, 2025.

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel were first signed at age 15 as an act called Tom & Jerry. The duo's first single was "Hey Schoolgirl," which sold more than 100,000 copies. Simon & Garfunkel had a series of separations and reunions in the years to follow—including another pseudonymic duo as Kane & Garr—but eventually reunited using their real names in 1963.

As for whether the pair has another reunion in them, Garfunkel addressed the question in an April 2025 interview that he's not ruling it out. "I have always loved my partner, and I know that is reciprocal. Reunion? It is a significant question," he said. "Paul and I will keep talking. We may give it a try and see where it leads. You never know. Paul is touring right now, and I applaud him for being so generous and innovative. My partner is an amazing talent."

At 8 years old, the future Mrs. Knowles-Carter and LaTavia Roberson auditioned for an R&B group called Girl's Tyme; childhood friend Kelly Rowland joined in 1992. The group performed in the Houston area at various talent shows and even made it on "Star Search," a clip of which can be heard as the intro to Beyoncé's song "Flawless." They were eventually signed to Elektra Records but dropped shortly after. An arrangement with Sony allowed the performers to record a debut album, after which Columbia Records picked them up. In 1996, the group changed its name to Destiny's Child, climbing the charts with hits including "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Survivor," and "Say My Name."

Meanwhile, even as a solo act, Beyoncé continues to reinvent herself. In 2025, the celebrated artist performed her 32-concert Cowboy Carter Tour, which concluded on July 26, 2025. The album of the same name made her the first Black woman to win Best Country Album at the Grammy Awards in February 2025 and also earned her the coveted Album of the Year award.

You may also like: Tom Petty once revealed a career regret, and it became an '80s classic

Pharrell Williams has found success as a musician, producer, fashion designer, and all-around pop culture icon. A protégé of Teddy Riley, Williams got his start while he was still in high school by penning his mentor's verse on the 1992 hit "Rump Shaker" by Wreckx-n-Effect.

The Australian vocalist, whose full name is Sia Furler, has widespread fame from her solo efforts and high-profile collaborations. Her previous endeavors include being a member of Zero 7 and singing hooks on hits by artists like Eminem.

Although they're best known for their MC talents, the New York-based Beastie Boys started out in 1979 as a punk/hardcore band called The Young Aborigines. After losing a member, the group became The Beastie Boys featuring Adam Yauch on bass, Michael Diamond (Mike D) as lead vocals, Kate Schellenbach on drums, and John Berry on guitar. Berry left the group and was replaced by Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock). Schellenbach moved on from the group—she would later play drums for Luscious Jackson—as the trio transitioned to the sound that made them famous.

The Man in Black began playing music in high school before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1950. It wasn't until after his return to civilian life that he began to pursue fame. While living in Memphis, Johnny Cash auditioned for Sam Phillips at Sun Records and was initially rejected due to his gospel influences. He returned with a more rockabilly sound and his first hit, "Cry, Cry, Cry." The rest is musical history.

Born Aubrey Drake Graham, the Canadian hip-hop artist Drake began his celebrity turn as a child actor. He was best known for his role in the teen drama "Degrassi," playing a star basketball player. Never afraid to poke fun at himself, Drake embraces his Degrassi past—he even held a cast reunion in the video for his single "I'm Upset." He's also still honoring his Torontonian roots with his new music, like the song "2 Mazza," released in June 2025 and chock-full of Toronto slang and accents.

You may also like: 20 slang words popularized by hit songs

Electronic musician and vocal powerhouse Björk has been captivating listeners since her youth. She released her first album at age 11, mostly folk music, and sang in anarchist punk bands in her teen years. She formed the new wave group The Sugarcubes, which had an MTV hit with "Birthday" and performed on "Saturday Night Live" in 1988. In 1990, she demonstrated her ability to hop genres once again—joining a jazz trio and releasing an album named "Gling-Gló." The Sugarcubes released another record in 1992, and Bjork's breakthrough solo album, "Debut," was released in 1993.

Many know Justin Timberlake as a former *NSYNC frontman, but die-hard fans will recall that he was one of the stars of "The All-New Mickey Mouse Club" on the Disney Channel. But J.T. built his musical chops well before that: he began performing gospel and country fare as a youngster—under the moniker Justin Randall—and even made it to "Star Search."

There are few contemporary artists as enduring as this Missouri native, whose career began nearly a decade before her breakout hit, "All I Wanna Do." She began recording jingles in her teens before hitting the road with none other than Michael Jackson, providing live vocals on his "Bad" world tour. On top of that, the singer-songwriter has a degree in music education and worked as an elementary school music teacher before hitting it big.

Before his decades-spanning solo turn, Rod Stewart brought his signature vocals to various collaborations and bands. While still in his teens, he performed as a street musician alongside folk singer Wizz Jones and was even deported from Spain for vagrancy. By 19, he had adopted a unique fashion sense and was known as "Rod the Mod" due to his dandy '60s style. After years of supporting other acts, including the Jeff Beck Band and The Small Faces—later known as just The Faces—he released his first solo record in 1969. Now 81, Stewart is still touring, and he's reuniting with former bandmates Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones to work on a new Faces album.

With mega-hits like "Bodak Yellow" and "I Like It," Bronx-born rapper Cardi B has made a big splash in the music world relatively quickly. Cardi B amassed a major following on social media during her first on-stage career as a dancer and was a cast member of MTV's "Love & Hip-Hop: New York" while she pursued her musical calling. For her latest act, Cardi made her WWE in-ring debut when she hosted SummerSlam in August 2025.

You may also like: The one-hit wonders every pop music fan will remember

Another artist with a military past, James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix moved to Tennessee after a year in the U.S. Army. He first found success as a guitarist on the Chitlin' Circuit, playing with acts like the Isley Brothers and Little Richard, before relocating to England and hitting the big time with his own signature sound.

Donald Glover was in the entertainment realm well before his music hit the masses. A graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Glover was discovered after submitting a spec script for "The Simpsons" that was forwarded along to Tina Fey. Fey brought him aboard the writing staff for "30 Rock," on which he made a handful of cameos, but his best-known acting break was on cult-favorite sitcom "Community." Though Glover announced in July 2024 that he would be retiring his stage name, Childish Gambino, he's still performing under the moniker, with his most recent appearance at Camp Flog Gnaw 2025 in November.

It's hard to imagine a time when Kanye West wasn't in the spotlight, but the hip-hop artist first got his footing in the industry behind the scenes as a producer. He was signed to Roc-A-Fella in 2002 for his studio skills and unique beats, which can be found on hits by Jay-Z, Cam'ron, and Beanie Sigel, and had also produced tracks for Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and others. 'Ye wanted to be a rapper above all else, and finally made his name with his debut album, "The College Dropout." In recent years, West has become notorious for his erratic behavior and self-proclaimed antisemitism.

Gwen Stefani was introduced to ska and punk music in her teens by her older brother Eric, whom she went on to perform with in No Doubt. Stefani's star power paved the way to a prolific solo career, clothing lines, a role on multiple seasons of "The Voice," along with a Las Vegas residency.

Born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner to a working-class English family, Sting first worked as a schoolteacher after graduating college. He played jazz in the evenings and was known for donning a black-and-yellow striped sweater that his bandmates teased him for, saying he looked like a bee or a wasp. Hence, a stage name was born. Sting went on to lead chart-topping rockers The Police before branching out as a successful solo artist.

You may also like: 20 popular '70s bands that still perform today

The Canadian singer-songwriter might not be the first person you'd imagine as a Rick James collaborator, but one of his first gigs was as part of R&B group The Mynah Birds, fronted by James. The two were even roommates for a time. Young went on to perform with Stephen Stills in Buffalo Springfield and reunited with Stills later on—adding his surname to the group known then as Crosby, Stills & Nash. And he's still going at 80, releasing the album "Talkin to the Trees" with his new band the Chrome Hearts on June 13, 2025.

Under her original name, Katy Hudson—which she changed as to not get mixed up with actress Kate Hudson—the pop songstress first enjoyed fame as a Christian recording artist before switching gears to a more provocative persona. Katy has also written for other artists, including Kelly Clarkson's hit "I Do Not Hook Up."

Guitar virtuoso John Mayer was accepted to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out in 1997 to form his first band, Lo-Fi Masters. His big break as a solo artist was at the 2001 South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Mayer's current act is a bit quieter. While he hasn't released an album since 2021's "Sob Rock," he said in an August 2025 interview that fans will have to keep waiting as he continues to "take a breather."

Tom Petty was born in Gainesville, Florida, and started playing guitar at a young age—even taking lessons from future Eagle Don Felder. Before The Heartbreakers, he founded a country-rock band called Mudcrutch that relocated to Los Angeles with hopes of being signed. The group didn't perform well on the charts and eventually disbanded, with two of the members following Petty to form The Heartbreakers. Mudcrutch reunited in 2007—this time, they released two different albums that each made their way to top-10 Billboard slots.

Madonna Louise Ciccone received a dance scholarship to the University of Michigan, which she attended from 1975 to 1977 before dropping out. She relocated to New York City with $35 in her pocket, worked at Dunkin' Donuts, and took classes at local dance studios.

The performer began her foray into music in 1979 on tour with disco musician Patrick Hernandez; it was around that time that she started a relationship with musician Dan Gilroy. She was a member of Gilroy's band, the Breakfast Club, where she played drums, guitar, and sang. Her next endeavor was leading a band called Emmy, based on Madonna's nickname at the time, before her breakout turn as a solo artist.

Even though Madonna reached retirement age with her 67th birthday on Aug. 16, 2025, she's not slowing down—the Queen of Pop released her acclaimed new album "Confessions II" on July 3, 2026.

You may also like: Controversial songs from the last 50 years

One of the best-selling musicians of all time, Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, and grew up on the campus of the Tuskegee Institute—a school he would later attend on a tennis scholarship. While in college, he joined the Mystics band as a saxophonist, composer, and vocalist. The band would eventually evolve into '70s funk/soul outfit The Commodores, which set Richie's musical career into motion. He's still touring and earning rave reviews at 77, with dates scheduled through January 2027.

Although they were part of the "British invasion," The Rolling Stones' core members got started playing music that was distinctly American. Dubbed Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys, the trio of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Richard Taylor covered classics by artists like Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters. Later on, they joined up with Brian Jones and Ian Stewart to form a Chicago blues-inspired band that would become the first Stones lineup. Remarkably, the Rolling Stones are one music act that shows no signs of slowing down: Their latest album, "Foreign Tongues," earned high praise when it was released on July 10, 2026.

Van Morrison's first musical foray was through a skiffle group called The Sputniks that he formed at just 12 years old. By 17, he was touring as a saxophone, guitar, and harp player with Irish showband The International Monarchs. Before he was 20, he joined up with rock/R&B outfit Them, which had hit singles like "Baby Please Don't Go" and "Gloria." Morrison eventually left the group and took on a more eclectic, organic sound as a solo artist, starting with his debut album "Astral Weeks." He has proved to have considerable staying power, with his latest album, "Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge," released in January 2026.

Atlanta native CeeLo Green (born Thomas DeCarlo Callaway) was a member of rap group Goodie Mob, which rose to prominence in the mid-'90s. The group frequently collaborated with Outkast and are featured on hits like "Git Up, Get Out." Green's backing vocals can also be heard on the TLC hit "Waterfalls." CeeLo would go on to collaborate with producer Danger Mouse as Gnarls Barkley before becoming a household name as a solo artist.

Although his music is what made him famous, Dave Matthews was an acclaimed local stage actor while living in Charlottesville, Virginia, in his early 20s. Since hitting it big in the '90s with Dave Matthews Band, he's also held roles in movies such as "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," "Just Go With It," and Disney's adaptation of "Where the Red Fern Grows."

You may also like: The 15 most covered rock songs of all time

Houston's soulful-yet-effervescent voice has genetics on its side: Her mother is gospel artist Cissy Houston, and her aunt is Dionne Warwick. Before the late vocalist won the world over with her pipes, she was a teen model and one of the first Black models on the cover of "Seventeen."

After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Willie Nelson was on the radio in a different form: as a DJ. He worked at stations in Texas, California, and Oregon in the '50s, while also making his way as a musician. He played bass in Ray Price's band and wrote songs for other artists, including "Crazy," made famous by Patsy Cline. Nelson took off as a solo artist in the '70s as part of the "outlaw country" movement and is well known today for a variety of interesting business ventures, from biodiesel to recreational cannabis. Now 93, he has no plans to retire, touring with Bob Dylan and releasing his 156th album, "Dream Chaser," in May 2026.

A skilled pianist as a child, Elton John (born Reginald Dwight) landed a junior scholarship to London's Royal Academy of Music at age 11. By 15, he had formed a band called Bluesology that backed popular artists The Isley Brothers and Patti LaBelle. An ad placed by Liberty Records led the young musician to his long-term collaborator, lyricist Bernie Taupin. After impressing the label with his take on Bernie's words, they were hired as a songwriting team. The pianist also worked as a studio musician and played on hits like The Hollies'  "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" before emerging as one of the 1970s' most dynamic performers.

Although he casually played music in his youth, Brooks was known more for his athleticism—he was skilled in football and baseball and earned a track and field scholarship to Oklahoma State University, where he competed in javelin-throwing. After graduating with an advertising degree, he set his sights on a music career. His influences were more rock- and folk-oriented until 1981, when he became inspired by George Strait's debut single "Unwound." Country was a good fit for Garth, who relocated to Nashville in 1985 and was signed two years later. He remains among the biggest-selling artists in the genre, though he has faced backlash and scrutiny over sexual assault allegations leveled against him in October 2024.

Growing up as part of a working-class Canadian family, Shania Twain began singing in bars at 8 years old to help her family pay the bills. She was invited to perform on the CBC at age 13 and fronted a local Top 40 band called Longshot.

Her dreams were placed on hold at age 21 when Twain's mother and stepfather were killed in a car accident. She returned home to raise her younger siblings, performing show tunes at a local resort to support the family. Those performances eventually caught the eye of Mercury Records. In the years to follow, her career exploded. She remains the top-selling female country artist of all time.

You may also like: 25 times LGBTQ+ artists made music history

Composed of sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim, the indie-pop trio came from a musical family and played with their parents in a group called Rockenhaim. Este and Danielle were first in the national spotlight as part of teen-popsters The Valli Girls, whose claims to fame include singing the theme song for an animated series on UPN about troll dolls. They became the trio Haim in 2007, playing occasional small gigs. Danielle eventually began touring with musicians like Jenny Lewis and Julian Casablancas. Realizing she'd rather be performing with her sisters, she brought a new level of energy back to the group. In 2012, they toured with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and released their debut EP, "Forever."

Alana has also ventured into acting in recent years, including roles in 2025 releases "The Mastermind" and "One Battle After Another." But the band hasn't stopped making new music or performing, with their latest album, "I Quit," dropping June 20, 2025.

The man born Robert Nesta Marley first found success as an artist in Jamaica's burgeoning ska scene. His first recordings were under the names Robert Marley and Bobby Martell. As ska gave way to the slower grooves of rocksteady and reggae, Marley formed The Wailers along with childhood friend Bunny Wailer, as well as Peter Tosh. The band landed an opening spot on a Sly & the Family Stone tour but was fired after four shows for overshadowing the main act. The original Wailers broke up soon after, but Bob continued to perform as Bob Marley & The Wailers.

Before he was the eccentric lead singer of Aerosmith, Steven Tyler—known then by his original last name, Tallarico—fronted '60s pop-rock group The Chain Reaction from behind the drumset. Their sound was inspired by the British mod scene, and their business card had the tagline "English Sounds, American R&B." The group brought Steven to New Hampshire, where he met future Aerosmith bandmate Joe Perry. Known for his uniquely raspy voice, Tyler announced his retirement with the rest of Aerosmith in August 2024 following a 2023 vocal cord injury, though he did reunite with Perry to play a short set at a benefit concert in April 2025.

The Piano Man's first serious gig was with a band called The Hassles, who were signed to United Artists Records but did not garner much sales success. After the group split in 1969, the heavy metal craze was taking hold, and Joel formed a duo called Attila with Joe Small, The Hassles' drummer. Their collaboration ended when Small's wife left him for Joel, but perhaps it was for the best: their self-titled record has been dubbed one of the worst albums of all time.

While Joel has continued performing well into his 70s, he canceled all his scheduled concerts in May 2025, announcing that he'd recently been diagnosed with a brain disorder called normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). A documentary about Joel's early days, "Billy Joel: And So It Goes," opened the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025.

Known for his platinum hair and punk-rock sneer, Billy Idol was making music long before "White Wedding." He joined the band Chelsea in 1976 as a guitarist, eventually leaving with bandmate Tony James to form Generation X—featuring Idol as a lead vocalist. The group's original lineup split in 1979, but Idol and James reformed as Gen X. The reunion didn't last long, but their single "Dancing With Myself" was successfully repurposed by Idol on his solo EP, "Don't Stop."

You may also like: 10 one-hit wonders who have found success behind the scenes

The English rocker began his performance career as a child actor; his roles included the Artful Dodger in a London stage performance of "Oliver!" and as Mike Lucas in a children's movie, "Calamity the Cow." His addition to prog-rock-turned-pop group Genesis in the '70s brought forth hits like "Follow You, Follow Me" and "Invisible Touch." While Collins has said health issues have stopped his desire to play music, his representative denied reports of a terminal illness in July 2025. In August 2026, he gave a health update, saying that he was three years sober and in good shape, with new music "not beyond the realms of possibility."

Born in England as Declan McManus, Elvis Costello formed a handful of small folk and rock groups in his youth. The bespectacled singer-songwriter's first recording was at age 20 when he sang backup for his father in a famous lemonade commercial. By 25, he had released his major-label debut. Fans of Costello's early work enjoyed his latest tour, "Radio Soul!: The Early Songs of Elvis Costello," which ran through September 2026, though he has additional performances scheduled through December.

Born David Robert Jones, the otherworldly performer first recorded in the early '60s under the name "Davie Jones," but eventually changed it due to its similarity to The Monkees' Davy Jones. Adopting the name David Bowie in tribute to both the American pioneer and his namesake knife, the English musician quickly attracted a global audience with his space-punk aesthetic and rock anthems.

Eunice Kathleen Waymon's musical gifts were evident at a young age. She was regarded as a piano prodigy as a child and in 1950, began studying at New York's prestigious Juilliard music school. In 1951, she audition at Philadelphia's Curtis School of Music; she always maintained that the rejection from that audition was a decision based on race, not merit. She began playing at clubs to make ends meet, changing her name to Nina Simone to obscure her line of work from her religious and conservative mother. Her career flourished in the years to follow, thanks to her distinct sound, unshakable artistry, and uncompromising commitment to the civil rights movement.

Australian pop sensation Kylie Minogue was first on the radar as a soap opera actor, playing Charlene on "Neighbors." Her character's popularity was so pervasive that 20 million Australians tuned in to Charlene's wedding episode. Although her biggest U.S. hit was in the early 2000s, she had been releasing internationally charting records since the late '80s. Minogue rarely acts these days, but she did play herself in the March 2025 Netflix series "The Residence."

You may also like: 30 iconic musicians you may not know were LGBTQ+

A native of Macon, Georgia, Little Richard first got his taste for the stage performing gospel at his church in his teens. His family didn't approve of R&B, calling it "the devil's music," but he soon found success starting in the late '40s in various variety acts and bands—even performing in drag. By 1952, he had released a series of recordings with RCA Victor, and was on the road to solo success.

If indie-rock frontwoman Jenny Lewis looks a little familiar, it's probably because of her past as a freckle-faced child actor. Lewis was featured in movies "Troop Beverly Hills" and "The Wizard," and had guest roles on TV's "The Golden Girls" and "Growing Pains." All grown up, she's been involved in major projects: She's the founder of Rilo Kiley and has enjoyed a successful solo career, taking part in collaborations with artists like Bright Eyes and The Postal Service. In May 2025, Lewis reunited with her Rilo Kiley bandmates for a tour with dates throughout the year, their first time performing together since 2008.

If his hard-livin' image didn't make it obvious, Ozzy had a decades-long impact on rock, beginning with '60s psych-metal outfit Black Sabbath. Osbourne was ultimately fired from the group, but it worked in his favor—he went on to enjoy a lucrative solo and reality TV career. Osbourne reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for a farewell performance shortly before his death on July 22, 2025.

Before the formation of The Fugees, Hill was a teenage actor. She had an early role on "As the World Turns" and a part in "Sister Act 2," in which her powerful singing voice was introduced to the masses.

The pop-soul dynamo born Peter Gene Hernandez first caught eyes in his home state of Hawai'i as the youngest member of his family's band, "The Love Notes." He also gained attention as a child Elvis Presley impersonator, which landed him a cameo in the film "Honeymoon in Vegas." Of course, Mars is now best-known as a pop heavyweight; in 2024, he released hits "Die With a Smile" and the global chart-topper "APT."

You may also like: What 25 famous musical acts looked like at the start of their careers